Sleep, study, eat, repeat. Sleep, study, eat and repeat. That's your school; years in nutshell. Do you want to go ahead with the same thing in college, only it will end with the thesis writing online process instead of exams? Or maybe you are ready to pause? Maybe you can't wait for your gap year if you're currently reading this article! You may wonder WHY you should spend a gap in Europe?
What's not love about Europe? You can wander through ancient cities with cobblestone streets and corner cafes. You can wind through gothic churches and medieval castles before you see the new cityscape. Take a break from the city and enjoy a relaxing nature getaway, such as hiking through misty cloudy skies along Irish rolling hills or dipping into the Mediterranean Sea. We're confident that after reading this list you will know why a European Gap Year is calling to you. There are countless reasons to spend a gap in Europe.
Many providers offer programs that include multiple countries. Why? Since ancient Rome, country hopping has been a popular way to travel in Europe.
With just one passport, you can travel from London through Barcelona and Paris. It is easy to travel by plane, train or even on foot. You can now travel to the most popular destinations without spending a lot of money, thanks to the cheap and no frills airlines.
Eastern Europe is usually the cheapest place to travel. While you're doing your Europe gap year, an internship in countries such as Poland, Bulgaria or Slovakia, you won’t have to break the bank for visits to museums or evenings out with friends at nice restaurants.
These "cheap countries" aren't "cheap", either, in terms of experience. You can stay at a $30 hotel in Macedonia, and lounge on the shores of Lake Ohrid.
You can also go skiing in Slovakia's Carpathian mountains with your friends and pay as little as $17 for a day pass. It's about the same price as a hamburger at some North American ski resorts.
Unfortunately, North Americans are stereotyped as being monolingual. The opposite is true for many Europeans. In Europe there are 24 official language, but over 200 languages are spoken on the continent.
When you travel around Europe on a gap year, it is easy to be swept up in the benefits of being multi-lingual. Look for programs with language-learning components. This will give you a big boost on your resume.
Spain should be a top choice given that Spanish is the second-most spoken language on the planet. You can choose Portuguese, which is the sixth most spoken language in the world. A European gap year would be perfect for learning French.
As diverse as the landscape and language are the opportunities available for a gap-year in Europe. Are you interested in working, volunteering, studying, or simply seeing the sights? There are many options.
Have you ever considered becoming a ski teacher in the Alps? Would you like to take a cultural tour through Europe's most prestigious cities, such as London, Paris and Barcelona, for example.
There are endless opportunities in Europe, and there is a wide variety of providers. Many gappers are able to find programs in London, Paris, and Rome.
Europe is known for its contrasts between 2,000-year old structures such as the Colosseum and modern nightclubs, art galleries, and museums.
There are also lesser-known cities, such as Seville, Spain, which is famous for its tapas in alfresco cafés, and flamenco performances at night. Many people admire the Gothic architecture of Riga, Latvia.
Did you know that Bruges in Belgium has canals similar to Venice and chocolate shops comparable to Paris? Do not overlook the small-fry city with great experiences!
Hold on tight for those who would rather wear hiking boots than high heels.
Many Europe gap year programs offer tours and cultural excursions in Europe's most beautiful au naturale retreats.
Some programs will place you in rural areas, or in nature reserves where you can take part in conservation, or simply relax. The 300-year old Cliffs of Moher are in Ireland, and the stunning Dalmatian Coast is in Croatia.
What about a weekend spent in the Dolomites, a mountain range of Italy with 18 peaks that rise out of a landscape of charming villages? The German black forest is a beautiful place with its network of rivers and pine-covered woods.
It's great to have many likes, but it would be even better if you had the same number of followers as Europe. For North Americans at least, Europe seems to always be one step ahead.
They have a longer history, and have outdone us when it comes to art and architecture. Think of Stonehenge, in Ireland, or the Acropolis at Athens.
Europe has an unmatched air of sophistication and elegance. It's literally felt in each step. You can have an espresso in a café in Florence or you can shop until you drop on the Champs-Elysees.
The modernity of Europe has a refined look, and a keen eye for design. It also maintains the beauty of historical buildings that have been standing for centuries. The counterculture scene didn't come from Brooklyn. That was Europe. Mohawks and skateboards. Tattoos, leather jackets and tattoos. You can see this style all over Europe.
Let's discuss your future and why you might want to take a gap-year in Europe. You are paving the way for your next steps, whether they will be in one year or five.
You can now put volunteering and work on your resume when you go to college, or for your next job.
Tell any potential employer or admissions counselor about your experience teaching English in Prague to children or working on a conservation project on Santorini Greece. You are a star, who wouldn't hire you?
Your Europe gap year will give you much more than just a passport filled with stamps. You will be able to have a successful college career or experience.
You don't return from a trip to a different culture the same person. All the little things in between are what help you develop your problem-solving and interpersonal skills.
You've probably tried to find your way around a foreign city. What about navigating a rural area using your foreign skills? You will not just step out of your comfort zone but also live in it for months or even years. Although it may not be easy at times, it is worth it.
These experiences will change you. These experiences will help you clarify your goals, sense of purpose and give you confidence for future travels.
